Leona Lewis taken to court over new single 'Collide'

Leona Lewis taken to court over new single 'Collide'

Leona Lewis taken to court over new single 'Collide'. Leona Lewis plagiarism row heats up: Singer Lewis headed for High Court over new single which Ministry of Sound producer says copies his track

Leona Lewis and her label are being taken to court by a Ministry of Sound producer who says her new single plagiarises one of her tracks.

Swedish DJ Avicii - real name Tim Bergling - says Collide, which was unveiled last month, is a "straight re-recording" of his instrumental Fade into Darkness, which he recorded in October.

The Guardian reported today that the High Court will hear a plea from the dance producer on Monday for an injunction against the release of the X Fcator winner's song, which is due out on September 4.

Bergling alleged that his team denied Simon Cowell's label Syco, which Leona is signed to, use of the track as he was searching for a female vocalist before officially releasing it himself.

A spokesman for Ministry of Sound has said: 'Avicii is an up-and-coming talent; we think he should be given a fair crack at making this record the hit it deserves to be.'

Syco and its parent label Sony have refused to comment on the issue.

But the Bleeding Love singer took to her Twitter last week to say Tim knew about her version before its premiere.

She said: 'With regards to my song, avicii was aware & agreeing publishing splits for himself and his manager (sic).

'When avicii sent his track out to have a song written over it I totally fell in love with this version and i think he's super talented.'

But the Swedish star retaliated, claiming to know nothing of the supposed agreement.

He wrote: 'Thanks for accusing me of lying and speaking on my behalf.

'Since we never met or even spoke, please let me and my manager know who told you that and what confirmation they gave you.'

If the single is a success, the DJ will be due a huge chunk of royalties.

Leona is without doubt the most successful winner of Simon Cowell's reality show.

It catapulted her to the top of the US Billboard, making her the third ever UK female artist to hit the top spot with their American debut hit.

Petula Clark and Sheena Easton were the only other two artists to acheive this, with Downtown in 1965 and Morning Train (Nine to Five) in 1981.

Record label Syco insist the blond decksman is credited as a songwriter on the track, despite his claims he never agreed for Lewis to use it.

The song Berg says was used without his permission is known as Penguin, which he has reportedly been looking for vocalists to collaborate with over the past few months to release the song under stage name Avicii.